Community Holds Vigil For Business Owner Burned In Blast

Virgil Barker was seriously injured on Saturday by an explosion at his tire shop and towing company.

According to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, an explosion was reported at Barker's Towing and Tire Shop, located along state Route 41 near Jeffersonville, around noon.
 
Barker was flowing to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center with burns to the back of his body and trauma to his throat and lungs from smoke inhalation.
 
As Barker remained hospitalized in critical condition Saturday night, dozens of people gathered outside the 69 year old's shop to offer prayers for his recovery.
 
A friend, Don Parsley, expressed confidence Barker would survive.
 
"If anybody could pull through this, it'll be him. He's a tough old bird," Parsley said.
 
Eyewitness accounts indicated that Barker was cutting a barrel with a blowtorch outside the shop when it exploded and sent him across the parking lot through the air.
 
The incident was still under investigation.
 
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